Police contact with a man before his death - Metropolitan Police Service, April 2018

In the late hours of the evening on 5 April 2018, a member of the public called 999 to report a concern for his elderly male neighbour’s welfare. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) tasked police officers with going to the man’s home to conduct a welfare check, and also asked the local ambulance service to attend.

On arrival, police officers met the elderly man’s two nephews and next-door neighbour, who were concerned the man was not contactable. The officers forced entry to the man’s home and found him conscious on the floor. While officers were in his home, the man got into bed and informed officers that he did not want an ambulance, or to go to hospital. Officers then cancelled the ambulance and left the man’s home.

The elderly man was found dead at home by a family member the following day.

Our investigators spoke with witnesses, obtained accounts from the police officers who carried out the welfare check, and conducted enquiries with the local ambulance service to identify policies relevant to this investigation.

We found no indication that the officers had caused or contributed to the man’s death. The evidence suggested that the police officers’ decision to cancel the ambulance was justified

Based on the evidence available, we found no indication that any person serving with the police may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings, or had committed a criminal offence. We concluded our investigation in December 2018.